While safety is definitely the primary concern in terms of selecting the ideal life jacket for your kids, you do have to realize that it isn’t the only thing you should think of. The very reason why you intend to buy one is to make sure the young ones have protection against drowning while swimming, but once they’re in the water, you likewise want them to feel as comfortable as possible. Well, it wouldn’t be possible if you bought one that is made out of cheap material and promotes nothing but discomfort.

Going back to the issue of safety, we strongly suggest that you only buy an infant or kids’ life jacket that’s approved by the U.S. Coast Guard. This actually is a requirement for kids or children weighing less than 30 pounds. More on safety, it is best that you go for a product that comes with a Type II rating since it means there’s an attached float collar or head pillow. The purpose of both is to make sure that the baby’s head will remain above the water all the time.

Furthermore, a life jacket with a grab loop is ideal because this feature helps you to hold on tight to your child while he or she is in the water. A crotch strap on the other hand is designed to prevent the jacket from slipping off the child’s head.

Bear in mind that in shopping for a new kids’ life jacket, a proper fit is as important and crucial as safety. We mentioned earlier that comfort is very important because no matter how safe and high quality the life jacket is, all of it won’t matter if the child wearing it does not feel comfortable due to the fact that the size does not fit him or her well. It’s no secret that kids grow quite fast, suggesting that this also has to be taken into consideration when purchasing a life jacket for them.

Lastly, be reminded that no other swimming gear or device can be used as an alternative to a life jacket, especially if it is your kids who are involved. What this means is that you never can use anything and treat it as a life jacket. Doing so is a very bad idea and it definitely will put your child in danger of drowning. Don’t forget that children are always prone to accidents, particularly drowning, when they’re in the water, and that is the very reason why life jackets and vests were conceptualized. So in order to guarantee safety for your kids when swimming, buy a life jacket that’s of high quality and certified by the U.S. Coast Guard.